Guayacan Churchill – Cigar Review

The Guayacan is one cigar that I’ve heard rumblings about since after the 2012 trade show, but also one that I’ve been unable to fine till just last night. The story, as it has been told to me, is that the cigar is made by Noel Rojas who was raised in Cuba, and managed to leave about 5 years ago. Noel was a woodworker and named the cigar, Guayacan, after his favorite wood to work with. The distribution for Guayacan was picked up by Emilio cigars. I ran into Brett Bowersox, the New England rep for Emilio last night and he provided me with a sample of the Guayacan. After the bit of buzz I’d heard about the cigar, I was a bit doubtful that it could live up to what I’ve heard, so I immediately prepared to explore it for myself.

Construction and Appearance: The band on the Guayacan has a nice old world feel to it, on the top is a crown, below it Guayacan written on a banner. In the center is the picture of a farm bathed in the sun’s rays, below that By Noel Rojas written on it. The wrapper is slightly darker than a medium brown, almost Colorado in color, with moderate veins, but a beautiful oil it. The cigar has a nice slight box pressed feel to it, a good weight, and a tight triple cap.

Flavor and Notes: The wrapper of the Guayacan has notes of a sweet floral tone, cedar, and a little grass. The foot has a scent which is a blend of earth, wood, cedar, floral tones, and a bit of spice. To prepare smoking the Guayacan I use a V-Cut on the side of the box press (my preferred method of smoking box pressed cigars) and on the cold draw there are flavors of spice, wood, earth, natural tobacco, and some rich cedar.

Smoking Characteristics: The Guayacan kicks off with a nice bit of spice and pepper on the first few draws. The draw starts off instantly perfect, easily providing a nice body of smoke, but not to loose or tight. The first few draws leave a lingering spice and pepper on the palate which warm it slightly. The pepper starts to die off after the first few draws but the spice remains joined with some notes of cedar, wood, floral tones, and a nice odd sweetness that has a sort of woody flavor. The flavors are not overpowering, but offer a nice subtle complexity in the blend.

Into the second third of the Guayacan, the sweetness really develops in the smoking profile, the notes of wood, cedar, and floral tones all blending well in the smoke itself. Yet, when I exhale, it is almost a different cigar entirely, spice suddenly lingers on the palate, and a bit of pepper has returned remaining on the roof of my mouth between draws. The ash is a charcoal color and holds quite firm, easily past the inch point. The burn is nearly razor sharp and has yet to require a touch up in the nearly 45 minutes I’ve been smoking. The strength is in the medium range, with just the slightest buzz setting in at this point.

In the final third of the Guayacan, I can’t help but be struck by the rich floral aromatic aroma. The blend hasn’t changed much from the last third, still notes of wood, cedar, and floral tones in the smoke itself, with spice and pepper lingering on the palate between draws. During this third I am noting some natural tobacco tones as well, which feel as if they’ve been present the entire time, but only moving to the foreground now. Despite the fact I’ve been smoking the Guayacan for almost 70 minutes now, I’m still enjoying the blend quite a bit. The ash still holds very firm and at no point has it broken away or even flaked on its own. The burn line has required a little touch up during this third, but the draw is still simply fantastic.

Conclusion: The Guayacan is quite the cigar, with very intense complex flavors and a nice medium strength. The construction is very good, no issues with ash, burn, or draw. There is a wonderful play of flavors and a distinct floral aroma that sets this cigar apart. I suggest you try the Guayacan, at its price it is a real steal.

Thanks for such a good review on my cigar, I appreciate when a conosiur of cigars raise his voice for a great stick, I will love to send you a sample of the knew maduro Guayacan (not in stores yet) so you can taste the new cigar. My email address "guayacancigars@yahoo.com" thanks !